Freeport, Bahamas - The annual “Join Me on the Bridge” gathering for International Women's Day will take place at the Garden of the Groves on Saturday, March 8th at 3 p.m. This annual celebration held on International Women’s Day was launched in 2010 as part of an international grassroots campaign that grew to be one of the biggest women’s rights campaigns in the world.

“Join Me on the Bridge, Grand Bahama”, now in its fifth year, continues to grow, and encourages joining on a bridge whether real or symbolic to stand in solidarity with women, men, and children locally -- and from all over the world -- who are celebrating the achievements of women and focusing on the issues they still face.
ESSAY COMPETITION:

Theme: “Join Me on the Bridge” announces its 2nd Annual Essay Competition in the hopes of inspiring young women to explore and reflect on women’s rights and equality. Students are asked to write an original essay of 500 words or less around the question of, “In your opinion, what is a man’s role in supporting women’s rights and equality?”

Invited: Female high school students (grades 9-13) in Grand Bahama are
invited to participate in the Essay or Art competition.

Judging: Essays will be judged based on theme, originality, clarity of thought, organization, grammar and spelling.

Prize: One winner from Grand Bahama will receive the grand prize of $100 Cash. Award sponsored by Bill and Ruth Ann Harnisch. The winner will also be included in the 5th Annual “Join Me on the Bridge” opening ceremony where they will read their winning essay.

Deadline & Submission: All essays must be submitted electronically as an attachment no later than March 4, 2014 at 4:00 PM (ET) by email to FreeportBridge@gmail.com. Entries submitted after the deadline will not be entered into the competition. Only emailed entries will be considered.
Winner will be notified via e-mail and/or phone by March 04, 2014.

Rules:

Open to female high school students (grades 9-13) in Grand Bahama.

Essays must be 500 words or less and typed single space.

Entries must be accompanied by the required information listed in the Official Entry Form, which may be submitted as an attachment or within the body of the email.

Only one entry per person. (May only enter one competition: Essay or Art).

Essays may not include photographs, images, illustrations, etc.

Entries that are deemed to infringe upon copyright protected material will be disqualified.

Essay must be written specifically for this year’s event. (Essays submitted in previous years’ competitions will not be accepted).

All submitted entries shall become the property of “Join Me on the Bridge” and will not be returned.

Winner agrees to attend and read her essay at the “Join Me on the Bridge” event held at the Garden of the Groves in Freeport on March 8 at 3 p.m.

Winner agrees to allow “Join Me on the Bridge” to post their name, photo, and essay on any of “Join Me on the Bridge” websites, promotional materials or media outreach and coverage. Full credit for the essay will be given to the student.

Decisions of the judges are final.

ART COMPETITION:

Theme: “Join Me on the Bridge” announces its 1st Annual Art Competition in the hopes of inspiring young women to explore and reflect on women’s achievements and issues. Students are asked to create an original work of art around the theme of, “Celebrating Women.”

Judging: Art will be judged based on theme, technique, organization, creativity, and individuality.

Prize: One winner from Grand Bahama will receive the grand prize of $100 Cash. Award sponsored by Bill and Ruth Ann Harnisch. The winner will also be included in the 5th Annual “Join Me on the Bridge” opening ceremony, to be held at the Garden of the Groves, Saturday March 8th at 3 p.m., where their art will be displayed.
Deadline & Submission: All original art must be submitted in person no later than March 4, 2014 at 4:00 PM (ET) to The Garden of the Groves. Entries submitted after the deadline will not be entered into the competition.
Only physical entries will be considered. (no electronic entries).
Winner will be notified via e-mail and/or phone by March 04, 2014.

Rules:

Open to female high school students (grades 9-13) in Grand Bahama.

Only physical entries will be considered (no electronic entries).

Art can be in any medium, except photography. (artwork must be fixed/dry).

Must be two-dimensional.

Maximum entry size is 18 inches by 24 inches (not including mat).

Artwork may be matted, though must be unframed.

Entries must be accompanied by the required information listed in the Official Entry Form, which may be submitted as a print out.

Only one entry per person. (May only enter one competition: Essay or Art).

Entries that are deemed to infringe upon copyright protected material will be disqualified.

Art must be created specifically for this year’s event.

All Submitted entries shall be returned to the student.

Winner agrees to attend and display her art at the “Join Me on the Bridge” event held at the Garden of the Groves in Freeport on March 8 at 3 p.m.

Winner agrees to allow “Join Me on the Bridge” to post their name, photo, and art on any of “Join Me on the Bridge” websites, promotional materials or media outreach and coverage. Full credit for the art will be given to the student.